DOWNEY — Growing up an only child in New Jersey, Holland VanDieren thought of her dogs as her siblings.

“My parents and I just loved them,” she said while escorting a recent tour of the Southeast Area Animal Control Authority’s shelter in Downey.

That love has only grown over the years for the 57-year-old former Realtor who now calls South Pasadena home. She lives there with her own family of dogs.

VanDieren’s passion for animals is apparent in a new program she created at the shelter. The “True Blue Friend” program aims to promote the adoption of “overlooked” homeless cats and dogs, she said.

These are the older, not-so-cute mixed breeds that are, nevertheless, good-natured and healthy, she said.

“They aren’t the puppies or pure breeds that everyone wants,” VanDieren added. “But if you look beyond the surface, you can find the heart of a true blue friend.”

Dan Morrison, SEAACA’s director, coaxed VanDieren into working at the shelter. He compared True Blue Friend pets to the nice kid on the playground who gets picked last on the team, or the quiet girl who doesn’t get asked to school dances.

Especially heartbreaking, said VanDieren, are the mothers who are left behind all alone when their puppies or kittens are adopted.

“Can you imagine that you’re just dropped off at a strange place and your children are taken away,” she said. “Our society is so image-conscious, even when it comes to our pets.”

But not everyone is.

Someone who shares her admiration of dogs that don’t fit the “Best In Show” mold is Wayne McVeigh, who was at the SEAACA shelter recently looking to adopt another dog since his Cocker Spaniel died.

“Mixed breeds are a lot more friendly and a lot more dependable,” said McVeigh, who grew up in Whittier.

They’re also very kid-

friendly, which is important since he has plenty of grandchildren visiting, he said.

His 15-year-old granddaughter, Shannon Greenman, who was visiting from Connecticut, helped search the cages for just the right dog to bring home.

True Blue Friend pets are selected by SEAACA shelter staff and are easily identified by their blue collars and cage signs.

Every True Blue adoption fee includes spaying or neutering, vaccinations, a health check, a permanent microchip ID and a one-of-a-kind “I Found My True Blue Friend” T-shirt designed by VanDieren.

And, of course, anyone who adopts these special friends gets a lifetime of love, she added.

“Just because a dog or cat doesn’t meet your imagined ideal is not a reason to pass them by. They will love you all the same,” she said.

Join the Conversation

We invite you to use our commenting platform to engage in insightful conversations about issues in our community. Although we do not pre-screen comments, we reserve the right at all times to remove any information or materials that are unlawful, threatening, abusive, libelous, defamatory, obscene, vulgar, pornographic, profane, indecent or otherwise objectionable to us, and to disclose any information necessary to satisfy the law, regulation, or government request. We might permanently block any user who abuses these conditions.

If you see comments that you find offensive, please use the “Flag as Inappropriate” feature by hovering over the right side of the post, and pulling down on the arrow that appears. Or, contact our editors by emailing moderator@scng.com.